European leaders publicly reaffirmed their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday following a dramatic confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House.
Within hours of the clash, prime ministers and presidents from across Europe took to social media to express solidarity with Ukraine, making clear their alignment with Kyiv in its ongoing war against Russia. Their statements underscored a widening rift between traditional allies, as European leaders distanced themselves from Trump’s hardline stance on the conflict.
“There is an aggressor—Russia. There is a people under attack—Ukraine,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, days after meeting with Trump. “Respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, their children, and the security of Europe.”
The show of European unity followed Trump’s scathing remarks against Zelenskyy, accusing him of disrespecting the U.S. and failing to demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace. The two leaders had been expected to finalize a major deal granting American access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, but Zelenskyy left the White House without signing the agreement, further straining ties.
Trump, who has been pushing for a negotiated settlement with Russia, later suggested that Zelenskyy was not ready for peace—comments that sparked concern in European capitals about Washington’s shifting position on the war.
